The captaincy was probably given to George Raikes, at
least according to Irish Saturday Night and The Irish Times.
The London Times gives a first captaincy to Gilbert Smith, and
Vaughan Lodge is also a possibility. Many other sources do not
specify any captain.

1 ?

57

Wales

16-Mar-1896

Arms Park, Cardiff

BC

9

1

AW

Start
6th app

CF

Football historian Cris Freddi, himself
the author of a book on the England team, has done extensive research in
the English and Irish newspapers of the time and has not found a single
contemporaneous record of England's captain for this match.

1

58

Scotland

04-Apr-1896

Arsenal
Stadium, Highbury, London

BC

1

2

AL

Start
7th app

CF

Club: Old Carthusians FC & Corinthians - at least 12 captaincies

2

59

Ireland

20-Feb-1897

Hillsborough,
Sheffield

BC

6

0

HW

Start
8th app

CF

3

60

Wales

29-Mar-1897

Arsenal
Stadium, Highbury, London

BC

4

0

HW

Start
9th app

CF

4

61

Scotland

03-Apr-1897

Hillsborough,
Sheffield

BC

1

2

HL

Start
10th app

CF

5

62

Ireland

05-Mar-1898

Arsenal
Stadium, Highbury, London

BC

3

2

AW

Start
11th app

CF

6

63

Wales

28-Mar-1898

Hillsborough,
Sheffield

BC

3

0

AW

Start
12th app

CF

7 ?

64

Scotland

02-Apr-1898

Parkhead, Glasgow

BC

3

1

AW

Start
13th app

CF

The London Times
and Sporting Life say Gilbert Smith was captain, but the
Northern Whig and the Ulster Football & Cycling News say
Wreford-Brown, as does The Sportsman, Glasgow Herald, and
Manchester Guardian. The Guardian sums it up: 'Wreford-Brown,
the captain, was said to be the weak spot...but he justified his
selection.' The FA's own minutes, also confirm Wreford-Brown as
captain.